October 22, 2010

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Two items related to New York congressional delegation members facing tougher-than-expected challenges came across the transom this morning, a fundraiser House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is holding for Rep. Maurice Hinchey in NY-22 and a letter from Queens Rep. Joe Crowley asking voters to "keep New York blue!"

The Crowley email is after the jump, and it's notable given that he names the races that he would like people to contribute to - with the exception of the former Eric "Tickle Me" Massa seat, NY-29, it lists the eight others that are considered in play. (Not on the list is NY-4, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy's seat, or NY-9, Rep. Anthony Weiner's seat, which have gotten press attention but aren't considered at risk).

The Hinchey event is a "birthday fundraiser" on Oct. 26 in Kingston.

But it's striking the amount of focus now on New York.

NRCC spokesman Tory Mazzola seized on it, saying, "The fact that even his NY colleagues consider him to be vulnerable is proof that Maurice Hinchey's campaign is spiraling as we edge toward November. Topping it off, national Democrats sent Bill Clinton in to stump for him, and now Steny Hoyer is swinging through. Just how bad are Hinchey's internal poll numbers?"

Election Day is less than two weeks away and so much is at stake, particularly in New York. Over the last two election cycles, we have made tremendous progress in New York – turning six seats in our congressional delegation from red to blue. These gains were made because people like you knocked on doors, rallied your neighbors to vote and provided much needed financial support to our candidates.

I am proud of what we have accomplished, but our work is far from done. We need to protect the gains we made here in the Empire State, which is why I am asking, once again, for your help in supporting some of my close friends in the New York Delegation. They have been instrumental in helping me to promote a commonsense platform in the U.S. Congress and I will need their support in the years to come. Please help me reelect them on November 2nd.

You have been extremely generous to me these past few years and I hope that you will extend that same generosity and assistance to my colleagues. To make a contribution or to find out more about the New Yorkers in need of your support, please click on the links below.

And, thanks again for working with me to make sure the New York Congressional Delegation can continue its work to keep our nation successful and strong.